|
Breaking News
6/22/09
Subject: New Titles Copies added to Collection
6/18/09
Subject: (Nearly) All Audiobooks now compatible with IPOD!!
 Nearly all OverDrive WMA Audiobooks in our download collection
are now compatible with the iPod®, iPhone™, iPod touch®, and
iPod nano®, as well as Zune® and thousands of other portable
devices, with a simple upgrade of OverDrive Media Console to
version 3.2 on Windows® PCs.
On
Tuesday, June 16, OverDrive released the new version of
OverDrive® Media Console. All new users will automatically download the latest
version, and existing users will be prompted to upgrade to the
latest and greatest version of OMC (scheduled for late June).
Click here for the full story
Date:
6/2/09
Subject: New Features: Ratings and user-defined checkout
periods
Effective June 5th, 2009, I
am delighted to report that we are adding two exciting new
features for our Audiobooks customers! They are the
star-rating support (which lets users rate the
audiobooks) & user-defined lending periods.
Star-rating support:
Once signed in, our
users will be able to rate titles on a scale of 1-5 stars.
If a user has previously rated titles, s/he can review and,
if desired, change or remove these ratings at a new ‘My
Ratings’ page.
Affected pages
are…
-
Search Results
(shows ratings)
-
My Digital Account
(added new link to new page 'Rated Titles')
-
Rated Titles (new
page at which a patron can review, change, or delete
previous ratings)
-
Content Details
(shows ratings)
-
My Bookshelf (shows
ratings and allows user to change previously submitted
ratings)
User-defined lending
periods:
We can now let your
customers choose their checkout period! They will be
able to set a personalized default checkout period by format
(via 'My Digital Account > Lending Periods'). They will also
be able to override any previously specified checkout
periods on a title-by-title basis at checkout. For instance,
if a customer has indicated that s/he wants to check out
Adobe PDF eBooks for 7 days, but is checking out 'War and
Peace' in this format, s/he could override the 7 day Adobe
PDF default to 14 days for 'War and Peace' in the course of
checking out that title specifically.
Our default lending
period will 7 days, with an option to extend to 14.
The shorter default should help reduce holds and increase
circulation. We can always adjust the default and the
options (up to 21 days) if we need to.
Let me know if you get any
feedback from your customers!
Thanks, Peter
Date:
5/15/09
Subject: New Titles
TRAININGS FOR JANUARY 2009
Digital Library 101: Browse,
Check Out, and Download!
-
Wednesday, January 28th
at 10 AM EST
Access
Code: 5736009
Description: Learn how to browse, check out, and
download OverDrive media. At the end of this course, staff
should feel comfortable answering basic questions about your
library's Virtual Branch.
- Duration: 1.5 hours.
- Who should attend: All
staff.
CONFERENCE SETUP: Please
complete all steps below. The training will be conducted
using ReadyTalk, which uses online web sharing and telephone
conferencing.
Step 1: Conference testing and setup (at least one day prior
to conference)
- Java install: Java is required for
this conference. Please confirm you have the latest version
of Java installed on the computer(s) you plan to use:
http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp.
- Test Connection: Please test your
connection prior to the conference here:
www.readytalk.com.
Locate the 'Join a Meeting' box, and click 'Test your
Computer'. A dialogue box will be displayed. If your
computer is setup properly for the conference, you'll see
two green dots. If not, two red dots will be displayed with
instructions for the Java install.
- Screen resolution: The
conference is best viewed using a screen resolution of
1024x768.
- Internet connection:
OverDrive recommends using a hard line Internet connection
rather than a wireless connection.
- Audio connection:
- A speaker phone is recommended
for the audio conference.
- If your location wishes to
attend but cannot dial in due to limited phone lines,
please contact your OverDrive Project Manager for
additional information.
- ReadyTalk allows up to 96
locations to call in to each training.
- Location: For the benefit of
others on the call, please choose a quiet location for your
training.
Step 2: Web Conference Login
- Make a note of the ReadyTalk access
code listed in this email for the date and time you are
attending (from 'Conference Details').
- Login to the conference 10-15
minutes before the training is due to start.
- Open Internet Explorer and go to:
www.readytalk.com.
- Locate the 'Join a Meeting' box.
Enter your access code.
- Next, Ready Talk will display the
'Participant Registration' screen. Please enter your
information as prompted, and our staff will send follow-up
information after the call.
Step 3: Audio Conference Login
(required for audio)
- Make a note of the ReadyTalk access
code listed in this email for the date and time you are
attending (from 'Conference Details').
- Dial the appropriate number from
your touch-tone phone.
- Participants within US / Canada:
1.866.740.1260
- When prompted by the audio
conference, enter your ReadyTalk access code. (Access
Code: 5736009)
Date:
1/2/09
Subject: New Content and Overdrive Report
Date:
11/21/08
Subject: Mac users can now download audio books to Mac
computers!
On November 19, 2008,
Overdrive announced the availability of free software for
Mac users to download audio books in the MP3 format from an
OverDrive partner library's download website and transfer
titles to Apple® devices including iPod® Classic, iPod
Touch, iPod Nano and iPhoneTM.
For full details, go
to:http://www.overdrive.com/aboutus/getArticle.aspx?newsArticleID=20081119
Date:
11/21/08
Subject: New Marc Records
Date:
11/13/08
Subject: New Marc Records
Date:
11/03/08
Subject: New Content
Date: 10/20/08
Subject: New MARC Records
Date: 10/10/08
Subject: New Content, New MARC Records
Date: 09/29/08
Subject: Audiobook Updates: MP3 Content, New website
features
Our switchover to MP3 Content has
gone without a hitch. We now have 55 titles available and
will be adding more each month. Click on the "Select Titles
Now Available as Mp3" banner on the right side of the
webpage or
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/NewMP3Additions.htm
to see the new titles.
-Pete
Date: 09/23/08
Subject: Audiobook Updates: MP3 Content, New website
features
Hello
Audiobook Consortium members.
1)
OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks availability
In the coming days,
Overdrive will activate our
account to make MP3
content available to our customers. We have
55 titles in MP3
format, and will be aggressively adding more
each month.
Please review
the
attached memo which details more about this format.
While you are welcome to share this email and the memo
with others at your library, Overdrive asks that
you otherwise keep it confidential at this time.
If you
want to view a version of our site and familiarize
yourself with it before it goes live:
URL:
http://demo46.bookaisle.com
Login: demo46.midas.preview
Password: oab
Authentication at the site is in test mode so any 10
digit card number (and 3 digit PIN if you require
it) will allow you to checkout/download content.
I would suggest using your phone number
as the library card number so that you can make sure
everyone is using a different number.
Additionally, you’ll be able to remember the number
you entered on your return to the site!
I am working with Overdrive to
develop new web banner ads, sample press releases and
other marketing materials. I will share these
items with you as they become available.
2)
Five new features for the Audiobooks Website: (http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com)
(these features will be rolled out in the next few
weeks)
- Wish List: We
have added a new 'Wish List' feature. When a patron
finds a title that s/he is interested in checking out
(including titles that have not yet been released), the
patron will be able to add the title to the new 'Wish
List' with a simple click! Patrons can access their Wish
Lists at any time (upon login to their account). From
the Wish List, a patron can add an available title to
his/her cart and complete the checkout process.
- The ability to edit
the email address used to place a hold - Patrons
will be able to edit the email address they entered when
placing a title on hold.
- Displaying 'also
recommended titles' - When a patron is viewing a
title details page, they will see a new section labeled
'If you like this title, then you might also like...'.
The titles chosen for display are those that have
Creator(s) and/or Imprint and/or Publisher and/or
Keywords in common with the title on the page the user
is viewing.
- Full text
searching: The quick search at your Virtual Branch
will be updated to support full text searching. This
increases response times, and also allows users to
search more metadata fields than before. Full text
searching queries the Title, Publisher, Creator, ISBN,
Subject, and Publisher-supplied Keyword fields of
Content Reserve, as well as some MARC record data
(Control Number and Library of Congress subject
headings). With full text searching, a user can search
on multiple terms, and the search results will be ranked
by relevance.
- Search by awards,
and display of awards on title details pages:
Currently, you can search Content Reserve by more than
60 awards. Soon, your patrons will be able to search on
these awards from your Advanced Search page.
Additionally, if a title has received an award, this is
displayed on the title details page. The award is shown
as a hyperlink; users can simply click this link to view
a list of titles that have received the same award.
Some notable awards include:
- Newbery Medal
- PEN/Faulkner Award
- Audie Awards
- Best Books for
Young Adults
- Edgar Allan Poe
Award
- Nebula Award
- Romantic Times
Reviewers' Choice Award Winner - Best Book Quill
Award Listen Up Award
- ESSENCE Literary
Award Caldecott Medal
Visit
http://www.mymediamall.net
to see these new features live!
If you have any questions,
please don't hesitate to contact me.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
Assistant Director, bromberg[at]sjrlc.org.
8/08/08
Subject:
Would you
like to join our Audiobooks Consortium?
The South Jersey Regional
Library Cooperative Digital Audiobooks Download Center
went live on January 30, 2006. In 2008, the project
continued to expand participation, delivering audiobooks
online to customers of more than
20 libraries.
Since inception, we have
circulated over 30,000 audiobooks from a collection of
more than 1800 general interest titles (2000 copies)
that we have purchased, and our annual subscription to
75 “always available” titles. We continue to add new
titles and copies the collection on a monthly basis.
We’d love to have you join us! We are approaching our
annual opportunity for current participating libraries
to re-up and for new libraries to join the Digital
Audiobooks Consortium.
Important dates
- October 1, 2008: Deadline
for
Letter of Agreement
- November 15, 2008: Deadline
for receipt of Annual Fees at SJRLC office
Getting the specifics
Questions or to request a
trial:
Call or email Peter Bromberg
at 856 346-1222 or
bromberg@sjrlc.org
Subject: July 29 Meeting
at Cherry Hill Library, 10-Noon
Dear Audiobooks Project
Participants,
Our Audiobooks Consortium is three years old! Seems like a
good time to get together and review our successes and look
and new options for the future. According to our Doodle
poll, the best date for everyone is July 29th, so please
mark your calendars:
WHAT:
Audiobooks Project Meeting
WHEN: July 29, 10-Noon (9:30
coffee)
WHERE: Cherry Hill Public Library
We will look at options for
adding video content through Overdrive and/or MyLibraryDV.
Andy Gross will be on hand from Recorded Books to demo their
video product, MyLibraryDV. (see discount information
here:
http://www.sjrlc.org/discounts/mylibrarydv.
Click here for details
and registration form
-Pete
6/10/08
Subject: New MARC available
The are new bib records
available for your ILS. They are
available here.
6/10/08
Subject: July 29 Meeting at Cherry Hill Library, 10-Noon
Dear Audiobooks Project
Participants,
Our Audiobooks Consortium is three years old! Seems like a
good time to get together and review our successes and look
and new options for the future. According to our Doodle
poll, the best date for everyone is July 29th, so please
mark your calendars:
WHAT:
Audiobooks Project Meeting
WHEN: July 29, 10-Noon (9:30
coffee)
WHERE: Cherry Hill Public Library
We will look at options for
adding video content through Overdrive and/or MyLibraryDV.
Andy Gross will be on hand from Recorded Books to demo their
video product, MyLibraryDV . (see discount information
here:
http://www.sjrlc.org/discounts/mylibrarydv/).
For now, mark your calendars. Later this
month I'll put out a request for registration/RSVPs.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
-Pete
2/06/08
Subject: Video Content
Your assistance is
needed! A number of libraries have asked about adding
video content to our collection. We have set up a
demo, and put together some title and publisher lists.
Please review and then tell us what you think by Feb 20.
Complete information and
links to materials are here.
Thank you!
-Peter
1/30/08
Subject: New MARC records
We just got a mother
lode delivery of MARC records from OCLC! In addition,
Camden County Library has graciously shared their records
for the eBooks that they've contributed to our collection.
Thanks CCL!
The new records are
available here.
Stay tuned, New titles will added later today.
Thank you!
-Peter
1/2/08
Subject: New Libraries, New Format
Happy New Year!
We begin 2008 with two big pieces of
news:
First, it's my pleasure to welcome
three new libraries to the consortia: Burlington Township
High School, Deptford Public Library and Camden County
Library.
Second, Camden County Library is not
only joining our consortium, they're also bringing us over
2200 eBook titles on a variety of topics including study
aids (sparknotes, cliff's notes), business, investing,
cooking, crafts, relationships, self-improvement, travel,
health and more. To see more eBook titles by subject, click
here:
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/BrowseSubject4.htm.
New web banner ads that reflect
eBook and Audiobook content, and instructions for linking to
our site, are now available here:
http://www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/web_banner_ads.htm.
The eBooks come in both adobe and
mobipocket (for pda)
formats. Our website has been modified to reflect the
addition of the eBook content and information has been added
to our help pages that cover these formats:
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/Help.htm.
As always, Overdrive is available to help you at
support@libraryreserve.com .
At this time we have no plans to
purchase new eBook content, however, if this format proves
popular with your customers we can explore the purchase of
new eBook content. There have been a number of questions
about the possibility of adding video content. We'll be in
touch with all participating libraries shortly to gauge your
interest in adding video.
Please let me know if you have any
questions.
Thank you!
-Peter
12/18/07
Subject: Digital Library 101 Training
Overdrive is offering 3 "Digital
Library 101" trainings in January.
This 1 hour training is designed to
give library staff a basic understanding of how to download
and listen to audiobooks so they will be able to assist
customers with basic audiobook questions. This training is
recommended for all library staff that will be
assisting customers..
-
Wednesday, January
7th at 10 AM EST
(Access code: 5736009)
-
Thursday ,
January 10th at 10 AM EST
(Access code: 5736000)
-
Friday ,
January 11th at 3 PM EST. (Access
code: 5736000)
Training is conducted using the
ReadyTalk service, which uses online web sharing and
telephone conferencing.
This training is
recommended for new employees, or as a refresher.
-
For the online web sharing
please have the attendees go to the following
URL:
http://www.readytalk.com
It is best to open this
URL in Internet Explorer. Java is required to
use this service, please confirm you have the
latest version of Java installed on the
computer(s) you plan to use (http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp).
-
On
the left hand side, you will see an option that
says Participant Login Access Code. Please enter
the access code
(Access Code for Jan 7th is: 5736009.
Access code for Jan 10-11 is: 5736000. )
-
Please
be sure to enter your full name (first and last)
and your email address when ReadyTalk requests
it as our staff will use that to send follow up
information after the call.
-
For
the audio teleconference, call 1-866-740-1260
from any touch-tone phone.
*Please note: Our ReadyTalk
presentations are best viewed using a hard line
connection using a screen resolution of 1024x768.
We have found that it is difficult to view the
presentation on a wireless network. *
One of these trainings will be recorded and archived at:
http://www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/training.shtml .
11/29/07
Subject: November Purchases
New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
10/26/07
Subject: New titles added
for July-October AND New MARC files available
- New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
- New MARC records are also
available. Please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
8/3/07
Subject:
Would you
like to join our Audiobooks Consortium?
The South Jersey Regional
Library Cooperative Digital Audiobooks Download Center
went live on January 30, 2006. In 2007 the project
expanded, delivering service to eighteen libraries.
Since inception, we have
circulated over 12,500 audiobooks from a collection of
more than 1300 general interest titles (1447 copies)
that we have purchased, and our annual subscription to
75 “always available” titles. We continue to add new
titles and copies the collection on a monthly basis.
We’d love to have you join us! We are approaching our
annual opportunity for current participating libraries
to re-up and for new libraries to join the Digital
Audiobooks Consortium.
Important dates
- October 1, 2007: Deadline
for
Letter of Agreement
- November 15, 2007: Deadline
for receipt of Annual Fees at SJRLC office
Getting the specifics
Questions?
Call or email Peter Bromberg
at 856 346-1222 or
bromberg@sjrlc.org
7/06/07
Subject: New titles added
for June
New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
6/13/07
Subject: New titles added
for May
New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
5/2/07
Subject: New titles added
for April
New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
4/9/07
Subject: New catalog
records available
379 new catalog records are now
available. Please see file # 8 on our
catalog records archive page at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/cataloging
4/9/07
Subject: New titles added
for March
New titles have been added to
the audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of
the complete list, please
click here.
I am following up with Overdrive regarding our missing
OCLC records...
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
3/5/07
Subject: New titles added
for February
New titles (and a few additional
copies of existing titles) have been added to the
audiobooks collection. To see a spreadsheet of the
complete list, please
click here.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
2/5/07
Subject: "Plays on Phone" webpage
Did you know that OverDrive
audiobooks can be played on some cell phones? Our
customers might not know either. That's why we've
added this "Listen
to Audiobooks on my Phone?" link on our Audiobooks
webpage.
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/en/Phone.htm.
It links out to a few pages that list known compatible
devices, and offers my email to solicit feedback from
audiobook listeners asking them to share their
experience.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
2/1/07
Subject: "Always Available" Collection for 2007
Beginning this week, we will have a new Maximum Access
(aka "Always Available") Collection of 75
titles. The new 75 title collection will have some
of the same titles from the previous collection (based
on whether or not they circulated well) and will also
have new titles that became available in 2006.
Thanks to Anne Frontino for doing the analysis and
putting together a great collection of maximum access
titles.
Reminder: If you have been
adding
catalog records to your ILS, don't forget to remove
the titles that will no longer be available.
See below for link to new titles, and deleted titles.
(MARC records for new titles are not available yet.
I will notify everyone as they become available from
OCLC.)
|
Deleted Titles
| New
Collection (with new titles in green)|
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
2/1/07
Subject: Congrats to Anne Frontino our new Collection
Development Consultant
SJRLC is proud to announce that
Anne Frontino will consult with SJRLC to manage
Collection Development for the Audiobooks Consortium.
Anne has experience doing collection development for the
audiobooks project as a volunteer last year.
I look forward to working with
Anne as she develops our audiobooks collection and
improves our marketing on the audiobooks website.
-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC-Peter Bromberg, SJRLC
12/11/06
Subject: Audiobooks CD Manager Position
The South Jersey Regional
Library Cooperative seeks a librarian to manage and
perform collection development for the SJRLC Audiobooks
Consortium. Please see complete details at:
http://www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/collectionmanager/
10/16/06
Subject: New version of Overdrive Media Console--easier
transfer to mp3 players!
(download new console at:
http://www.overdrive.com/MediaConsole/download.asp)
Message from Overdrive:
OverDrive Media Console released
October 11, 2006!!!
We are delighted to report that on October 11, 2006, we
will be releasing OverDrive Media Console v2.1. While
this is not a required upgrade, we do highly encourage
you to encourage your patrons to install OMC v2.1. With
this upgrade, patrons can enjoy some exciting new
features, most notably the OverDrive Media Console
Transfer Wizard.
Please read below to learn about new features available
with this release, and for an overview of changes that
will be made to your OverDrive-hosted website to support
OverDrive Media Console v2.1.
----------------------------------------------
What's New with OverDrive Media Console v2.1
----------------------------------------------
+ The most exciting feature of OMC v2.1 is the
introduction of the OverDrive Media Console Transfer
Wizard. With the Transfer Wizard, users can transfer
OverDrive Media files to supported portable devices in
just a few clicks! The transfer is completed through the
OverDrive Media Console interface, which means that
users needn't launch Window Media Player to complete
this previously cumbersome process! Enjoying digital
media
anytime, anywhere just got easier.
+ When the Transfer Wizard locates a supported portable
device, it displays a name that accurately and fully
describes the device. This is especially useful for
users that may have multiple devices connected to their
PCs.
+ OverDrive Media Console v2.1 can be easily installed
over previous versions of OverDrive Media Console (no
uninstall required). Existing Media Libraries will be
maintained, allowing users to easily access their
previously downloaded titles after the upgrade is
complete.
+ For every OverDrive Video title, we make 2 versions of
the title available for download. The 'Standard' version
is best for use on PC or for routing to TV. The 'Mobile'
version has been optimized for use on portable devices.
The Transfer Wizard can be used to transfer 'Mobile'
videos onto supported portable video devices, allowing
mobile video users to enjoy content in the best quality
available for their players.
+ We have incorporated auto-prompt functionality, to
alert users when new versions of OverDrive Media Console
are released. Upon download of a new media file, a
prompt will be displayed to users of OverDrive Media
Console v2.0 and newer, notifying them of the
availability of an updated version of the application.
(Note that some time may elapse between the release of
an OverDrive Media Console update and the prompting of
the user to download the
upgrade.)
+ In response to input from users, Media Explorer has
been updated to retain 2 settings: play speed and
volume. If a speed-listener has set his/her play speed
to 'Fast (1.4x)' and exited Media Console, play speed
will remain set to 'Fast (1.4x)'] until the user changes
it. Along these lines, if a user has set the volume to a
certain level, this setting will be maintained until the
user chooses to change it.
----------------------------------------------
Updates to Your Website
----------------------------------------------
Because of the availability of this new version of
OverDrive Media Console, we are planning some updates to
your website...
+ Your Help pages will be updated to reflect the
availability of OverDrive Media Console v2.1. 'Transfer
to Device' instructions will include steps on
transferring files using OverDrive Media Console v2.1.
Instructions for file transfer with use of WMP 9 and WMP
10 will be left in place for patrons using older builds
of OverDrive Media Console. But, these instructions will
be marked with a note alerting patrons of the
availability of OMC v2.1, and explaining that it greatly
simplifies the file transfer process.
+ The green 'OverDrive Media Console v2.0' button will
be replaced with a blue button, reading '...v2.1'.
10/4/06
Subject: Library Settings Form for Follett Libraries
New
libraries with Follett ILS systems are asked to fill out this "Library
Settings Form" and email (or fax) back to Peter Bromberg
@ bromberg@sjrlc.org
as soon as possible.
(Non Follett libraries, please
use this form: |
doc |
pdf |)
Thank you, Peter
7/27/06
Subject:
NEW!
Information on EZ PROXY:
Overdrive has just informed us
that libraries can use
EZproxy
instead of a SIP license
to authenticate cardholders into the audiobooks
system. EZ Proxy only costs $495 and is installed on
your server. EZ proxy is working closely with
Overdrive and Overdrive will work closely with you to
ensure a smooth install. More information as it
becomes available.
7/16/06
Subject: Do you want to join our audiobooks consortium in
2007?
Would you like to join our Audiobooks
Consortium?
The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative Digital Audiobooks
Download Center went live on January 30, 2006, delivering service to the
customers of our 15 inaugural participating libraries:
Since then, we have circulated over 2,300 audiobooks from a collection
of 452 general interest titles (530 copies) that we have purchased, and
our annual subscription to 100 "always available" titles. We add to the
collection on a regular basis. We'd love to have you join us! We are
approaching our annual opportunity for current participating libraries
to re-up and for new libraries to join the Digital Audiobooks
Consortium.
Important dates
- October 1, 2006: Deadline for Letter of Agreement
- November 15, 2006: Deadline for receipt of Annual Fees at SJRLC office
Getting the specifics
- For details on participation: See Audiobooks FAQ at
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/projectfaq
- The Letter of Agreement is available at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/agreement
Questions?
Call or email Peter Bromberg at 856 346-1222 or
bromberg@sjrlc.org
6/15/06
Subject: New content added to collection
New additions
to our collection! Thanks to our collection
developers Anne Frontino (Haddonfield PL) and Kathleen
Hanselmann (McGuire AFB) for their excellent purchasing
recommendations. I also supplemented their
recommendations with some hot-off-the-presses titles and
additional copies to lighten the load the holds ratio on
a number of popular titles.
6/15/06
Subject: Catalog Records available.
New catalog records are now
available on our MARC
Records page.
5/18/06
Subject: Do you want to join our audiobooks consortium in
2007?
Would you
like to join our Audiobooks Consortium?
The South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative Digital
Audiobooks Download Center went live on January 30,
2006, delivering service to the customers of our 15
inaugural participating libraries: Atlantic City Free
Public Library, Atlantic County Library System, Avalon
Free Public Library, Burlington County College Library,
Cape May County Library, Cherry Hill Public Library,
Gloucester City Library, Gloucester County College
Library, Haddonfield Public Library, Margaret E. Heggan
Public Library (Washington Township), McGuire Air Force
Base Library, Moorestown Library, Mount
Laurel Library, Pennsauken Free Public Library, and West
Deptford Free Public Library.
Since then, we
have circulated over 2,300 audiobooks from a collection
of 452 general interest titles (530 copies) that we have
purchased, and our annual subscription to 100 “always
available” titles. We add to the collection on a regular
basis. We’d love to have you join us! We are approaching
our annual opportunity for current participating
libraries to re-up and for new libraries to join the
Digital Audiobooks Consortium.
Important
dates
- October 1,
2006: Deadline for
Letter of Agreement
- November
15, 2006: Deadline for receipt of Annual Fees at
SJRLC office
Getting the
specifics
Questions?
3/13/06
Subject:
REMINDER, website down for maintenance today, 7-11 a.m.
Dear
OverDrive Digital Library Partner,
Please be advised that a brief
maintenance window has been scheduled for Monday,
March 13, 2006 from 7:00 am - 11:00 am Eastern. Your
OverDrive-hosted site will be
inaccessible for some or all of this time. If patrons
attempt to access your web site during this time, they
will see a notice informing them that the site is
undergoing maintenance, and
prompting them to try back later.
We apologize for any inconvenience; please be assured
that all maintenance activities
are undertaken to ensure optimal performance of our
sites and systems.
Thank you,
The Digital Library Reserve Support Team
2/25/06
Subject:
Wording on MAC/IPOD compatibility
The following wording on IPOD/MAC compatibility has been
added to:
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/Help-FAQ-General.htm and
http://www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/FAQ_tech.shtml
Can I use
this with my Mac or IPOD?
OverDrive Audio Books uses copyright protection
technology from Microsoft
Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not
currently support
copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files. The
OverDrive Media
Console is currently only available for Windows PCs.
Windows Media Player
on a Macintosh will not work as a substitute. While many
audiobook titles
can be burned to a CD, they cannot be directly
transferred to an IPOD.
OverDrive, along with hundreds of online music and audio
book providers, is
hopeful that Apple and Microsoft can reach an agreement
that would enable
support for Microsoft-based copyright-protected
materials on the iPod/Mac.
At this point, there is no company that offers library
circulation of
downloadable audiobooks in the IPOD format.
-Pete
2/07/06
Subject:
Running Reports on Circulation and Patron Activity
Instructions for
running patron activity and circulation statistical
reports have been posted to:
http://www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/Audiobook_reports_instructions.pdf
.
To run these reports, you will
need to log in to the content reserve system at:
https://secure.contentreserve.com.
If you have forgotten your
login/password or need to have one created please
contact Peter Bromberg at
bromberg@sjrlc.org.
2/07/06
Subject:
Catalog Records
MARC records for
our audiobook titles are being provided by OCLC in .mrc
format. They are currently working on a backlog of
records and will be providing batches of records as they
become available over the next 6-8 weeks (by OCLC's
estimate)
Files will be posted to:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/cataloging when they
become available, and a message will be sent to all
audiobook libraries to alert them when new records are
available. There are currently 3 files available. You
may download them and add them to your ILS system as
they become available.
Note that the
navigation menu for this page now has a navigational
link to the cataloging page for your convenience.
1/31/06
Subject:
Post those banner ads
Good Morning Everyone,
If you haven't already done so, I'd like to ask everyone
to put an Audiobooks banner ad on their homepage today.
A selection of banner ads are available at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/web_banner_ads.htm.
The press release (ww.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/SJRLC_Press_Release.doc)
will be released through PRNewswire tomorrow. Overdrive
says that they have had very good results with local
papers picking up these stories off the wire.
If you haven't received your bookmarks they should be
arriving shortly. We expect posters to arrive this week
and they will be shipped out to you immediately.
-Peter
1/30/06
Subject: Site is Live!! -- Message from Laura Crowe,
Overdrive
I am pleased to report that the
South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative digital book
site is live
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com
All test data has been purged,
so all data in your reports will reflect actual usage
data.
As far as patron tech
support goes, I recommend we proceed as follows:
- The people responsible for
support on your end attempts to answer questions as
they come in with reference to the FAQ. (http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com/help.htm)
- If desired, we welcome your
tech support person to forward any and all replies
to us prior to sending to your patron for these next
30 days.
- This kind of a 'training
wheels' approach in the next few weeks, will give us
the opportunity to review and offer input where
appropriate as your tech support person learns the
ropes. After this time, we anticipate that
your support person should have a strong grasp of
day-to-day issues, and of course they will continue
to work with us on any real stumpers.
Please forward support issues to
support@libraryreserve.com , and feel free to cc me
at
lcrowe@overdrive.com
Last note--it has been a pleasure working with you all
on this project. Going forward, as ever, please do not
hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Laura Crowe,
Product Manager
OverDrive, Inc. - Digital Library Reserve, Inc.
1/27/06
Subject: Web Banner Ads Now Available; Marketing Update
-
Web Banner ads, and
instructions for linking to them are now available
here.
-
The Bookmarks have
arrived. They will be shipped out to you on Monday.
- Sample Press
Release should be available soon (hopefully today).
That will be posted online as soon as it's available.
Overdrive can release our press release through PR
Newswire. They have had good results with local
papers picking up stories though the newswire. We
will wait a few days to get our feet wet and make sure
everything's working according to plan to do the
release. Libraries are also welcome to edit
and send press release to your local media outlets.
1/27/06
Subject:
Practicing on
our audiobooks site:
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com
VALID LIBRARY CARDS NOW
REQUIRED
While we are not yet live to the
public, Overdrive is now testing the site to verify that
library card authentication is fully functional.
From here on in, if you are downloading books from
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com, please choose
your library, enter a valid card number, and pin if
required. (instructions
on how to practice and download are here)
Feel free to check out as many
items as you like. When we go live on January 30th
all of the books will be reset to available for our
customers.
-Peter
1/27/06
Subject:
Question about
Holds
AUDIOBOOK HOLDS
A question came up during the Digital Books 101 training
yesterday concerning what would happen if a customer's
hold came available but they already had 4 items checked
out. The system requires the hold to be checked out with
48 hours of notification to the customer. The question
is, if the customer has 4 items out, and none of them
come due within that 48 hour window, do they lose the
hold?
The short answer is yes, they lose the hold. However, I
discussed this with Laura Crowe, our Overdrive rep, and
she said that in reality this happens very rarely.
Considering that each audiobook may take 8, 10 or 12
hours to listen to it is unlikely that a customer would
have 4 checked out all on the same day. If a customer
actually had 4 books checked out, it is likely that
their return dates would be somewhat staggered, reducing
the chance that hold would be missed.
Laura also said that if a customer ever loses a hold, we
can email Overdrive at
support@libraryreserve.com and request that
they force a return on one of the customer's items and
check out the missed hold to them, or they can put the
customer back on the holds list in a higher position.
They have only needed to do this twice.
Finally, she suggested that raising our checkout limit
from the current limit of 4 would help prevent this
problem from arising---but she recommended that we start
with 4 and only raise it if we need to.
As the project progresses through the first few month or
two Karen and I will be looking closely at usage
reports, and sharing them with you, so we can determine
whether our pre-selected limits and check-out periods
are appropriate.
-Peter
1/5/06
Subject:
1/13 Meeting is
Cancelled
Audiobooks 1/13
meeting cancelled
Progress Report on Training and PR
Our tentatively scheduled Audiobooks meeting for 1/13 is
cancelled.
We were going to use that time to review progress on PR
and marketing materials and participate in a "Digital
Books 101" training. However, Overdrive was not
available for training on the 13th and PR and marketing
materials, including bookmarks, brochures, web banner
ads, and draft press releases are still being created.
We expect work on marketing materials to be completed by
the 3rd week of January, and we will be sharing those
materials with you as they become available.
Our target 'go live' date is Monday, January 30th. There
are three things you can do to prepare yourself and your
staff for a successful launch.
- DIGITAL
BOOKS 101 TRAINING: Please prepare your staff to
help customers with Audiobooks by taking the 1 hour
'Digital Books 101' training. Details on training
options are available at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/training.shtml.
-
PRACTICE: You can now login in to our audiobooks
site download the Overdrive software, and begin
downloading and listening to audiobooks. Details on
how to login to our site and download materials are
available at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/training.shtml.
-
Prepare to publicize and get the word out. We
will be supplying a web banner ad for your homepage,
a draft press release, bookmarks and pdf files of
brochures. Please alert appropriate staff
(webmaster, PR person) that these items are coming.
Thank you very
much. Please feel free to contact Peter or Karen with
questions. Remember, all project documentation and
communication is available at our project website:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks
-Peter
12/29/05
Subject:
Digital Books
101 Training
Prepare your staff to help
customers with Audiobooks! Take Digital Books 101
Training.
This 1 hour training is designed to give library staff a
basic understanding of how to download and listen to
audiobooks so they will be able to assist customers with
basic audiobook questions. This training is recommended
for all library staff that will be assisting customers.
THREE OPTIONS FOR DIGITAL BOOKS 101 TRAINING:
(see also
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/training.shtml)
- Live Virtual Training
on Jan 26, 10-11 am. Please RSVP to
bromberg@sjrlc.org
(see instructions at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/ready_talk.htm)
- Live Virtual Training
on Jan 27, 2-3 pm. Please RSVP to
bromberg@sjrlc.org
(see instructions at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/ready_talk.htm )
0r TAKE THE
TRAINING AT YOUR CONVENIENCE WITH...
- Recorded virtual
training, available anytime using "Ready Talk"
(see instructions at:
www.sjrlc.org/audiobooks/ready_talk_recorded.htm
)
BEGIN
DOWNLOADING AUDIOBOOKS NOW!
Would you like to see what our audiobooks site looks
like, and begin practicing? Then go to our site at
http://sjrlc.lib.overdrive.com and start
downloading audiobooks!
Use the following login/password:
Login ID:
sjrlc.midas.preview
Password: d3w3y |
You can SELECT ANY LIBRARY
and ENTER ANY 10 DIGIT LIBRARY CARD # at checkout
(no pin required.)
Don't forget to download the Overdrive Console!
www.overdrive.com/MediaConsole/download.asp
If you have any technical questions you can email:
support@libraryreserve.com . Please note this email
is only for library staff is not to be shared with
customers.
Questions, comments, concerns can be directed to yours
truly :-)
-Pete
12/22/05
Subject:
Audiobooks:
Hold this date
We have set up a
tentative meeting date of
Friday, January 13 9:30-12:00 at
the SJRLC office to review progress and plan for launch
of the audiobook project.
We'll be focusing on marketing and PR, so feel free to
bring along anyone in your library who handles PR. We
will also be reviewing "Digital Books 101", which is
Overdrive's basic training on how to download, listen
to, burn and transfer audiobooks.
We will schedule more "Digital Books 101" sessions that
your staff can 'attend' through an online conference
call.
Please RSVP to Sandi Augello at
augello@sjrlc.org.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to all. Looking forward to
seeing you soon,
-Pete
12/9/05
Subject:
Meeting on 12/16
Those of you who are attending
the meeting on 12/16 can access Overdrive's "Content
Reserve" site at:
https://secure.contentreserve.com/login.asp
USEFUL LINKS
Questions/comments can be
directed to Peter Bromberg at
bromberg@sjrlc.org
11/29/05 (resent 12/2)
Subject:
Audiobooks Meeting 12/16
We
are moving along quickly in implementing the SJRLC
Audiobooks Project. We have received a variety of
recommendations from OverDrive including a recommended
Opening Day collection.
We’d
like to get a group together at the SJRLC Office to take
a look at the OverDrive Collection Development tools on
the big screen in our meeting room and make some final
choices on the 550 or so titles in the initial
collection including 100 that will be designated “always
available” (i.e. unlimited circulation).
We
have scheduled the meeting for Friday, December 16 from
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the SJRLC Office in Gibbsboro.
For directions, see
www.sjrlc.org/directions.shtml
.
As
we add to the collection over the course of the year, we
will have more options for online participation so let
us know if you are interested in collection development,
even if you cannot attend on the 16th.
Please let me know if you’ll be here on the 16th
no later than December 9.
- Karen
Hyman
10/17/05
Subject:
Library Settings
Form for Overdrive
All participating
libraries are asked to fill out the "Library
Settings Form" and email (or fax) back to Peter Bromberg
@ bromberg@sjrlc.org
as soon as possible.
Thank you, Peter
10/5/05
SUBJECT: SJRLC Audiobook Project Participants
We have 14 participant agreements
for the SJRLC Audiobooks Project and met all of our
targets for the base fee and collection budget. We’ll be
talking about next steps with OverDrive this week.
Participant list is attached.
Thanks to all of you for your interest and we’ll stay in
touch.
- Karen Hyman
8/9/05
SUBJECT: Overdrive Integration with Innovative
Interfaces ILS
In response to questions raised at
our meeting last week, Innovative Interfaces customers
will not need Patron API to integrate with OverDrive for
patron authentication. According to Michael Shontz at
OverDrive, Innovative Interfaces customers can purchase
Innovative’s SIP or SIP 2 circulation interface for this
application. This is the same for DYNIX, SIRSI, CARL,
Polaris, etc. The more expensive Innovative Patron API
will also work but is not necessary.
We will modify our FAQ file to reflect this information.
-Karen
8/9/05
SUBJECT: SJRLC Downloadable Audiobook Project
Are you interested in downloadable
audiobooks?
We had a large turnout at our SJRLC get-together on
Wednesday, August 3 to unveil our plans for a Regional
Audiobook project and other services to mobile users and
to get ideas/gauge your interest in participating in
these projects.
The downloadable audiobook project involves SJRLC subsidy
and a variable cost-share among participating libraries.
While public libraries are obvious candidates for this
program, all types of libraries are eligible and welcome
to participate. We would like to design a project that
is beneficial for libraries that are new to downloadable
audiobooks or currently providing them for their
customers.
If you couldn’t attend on August 3, there is still time to
get involved in the Audiobook Project. All
distributional items from the meeting, pricing model,
FAQ and Letter of Agreement are up on the web at
http://www.sjrlc.org/onthego
Give me a call or email if you
have any questions.
- Karen Hyman
8/8/05
SUBJECT: SJRLC Audiobooks Letter of Agreement and FAQ
Letter of Agreement and FAQ for
the SJRLC Audiobooks Project are up on the web at
http://www.sjrlc.org/onthego
For those who want to participate,
the signed letter is due back to us by October 1st.
Let us know sooner if you’re ready to go. We already have
two libraries on board!
-Karen
8/5/05
SUBJECT: Shared Audiobook Project Update
Thank you to all of you who
participated in Wednesday’s meeting on SJRLC Mobile
Services and a big thank you to the Cherry Hill Library
for hosting us in their lovely new facility. All of the
handouts from Wednesday’s meeting are up on the web at
http://www.sjrlc.org/onthego
2006 Costs for individual library participation in the
SJRLC Digital Consortium Audio Books Project are based
on 2004 local circulation and are available at
http://www.sjrlc.org/onthego/SJRLC_Shared_System.pdf
Answers to unresolved questions raised at the
meeting include:
- Will we need specialized
software to permit Overdrive to integrate with our local
ILS System? You may need to purchase a SIP, SIP2 or
NCIP license from your ILS vendor if you don’t have one
already. If your ILS vendor is Innovative Interfaces,
you can also use Patron API although it appears that
there are other options. Let us know what you hear from
your ILS vendors and we will also pursue the potential
of workarounds to ILS integration.
- Can customers see how many
holds have been placed on a specific title? Overdrive
will customize this function based on the wishes of the
project.
- Are manuals available for
foreign language learning audio books? This
option is in development at the request of library
customers. Their newest foreign language instruction
audiobooks will include a downloadable PDF manual.
- Is the Overdrive Media Console
accessible from MAC computers? Overdrive is
compatible with most newer MAC’s which have a WINDOWS
link.
- Can the end user return a book
sooner than the preset loan period? No. Part
of Overdrive’s agreement with audiobook publishers that
allowed burning to a CD mandated a fixed loan period
with no early returns.
We will need to know by
October 1 which of you want to participate in the Audio
Books Project and will need to receive your 2006
contribution by December 1 in order to be ready for
January 2006 operation. If we have enough libraries
sooner than October 1, we’ll be able to get started on
implementation with those we have.
We will have
a complete Frequently Asked Questions page and a Project
Commitment Form up on the web in the very near future so
stay tuned.
- Karen
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